TUCSON, Ariz. – The Bethany Lutheran baseball team opened its season in Tucson, Ariz. on Sunday morning, posting a massive 29-19 win over Otterbein to open the day before falling to Allegheny College 3-1.
In the Vikings 29-19 win, they found themselves in the record book a few times. Ben Hopper posted a new program record with six hits and tied the program record with six runs scored in the contest. Aidan Russell and Vaughn Pouncy each had two riples in the contest which ties a school record, while the team had six triples total which sets a new program best.
Bethany 29 – 19 Otterbein
The Vikings got the bats going from the jump in this one, taking a 9-2 lead after two innings. After two more innings and Bethany leading 11-6, the Vikings would post a six spot in the top of the fifth. Unfortunately, the Cardinals would answer with six runs of their own in the fifth to keep the deficit at five.
The Vikings would then add two runs in the sixth, before Otterbein added two in the seventh to give Bethany a 17-12 edge heading to the eighth. BLC would post two runs, before the Cardinals answered with five of their own to trim the deficit to 21-19 headed to the final frame. In the ninth though, the Vikings put up an eight spot to all but seal the win.
Hopper added three RBI to his six hits and runs, while Russell went 5-for-5 on the day with four runs scored. Pouncy and Eli Fest each added four hits in the game, with Pouncy posting a team-best five RBI.
Allegheny 3 – 1 Bethany
The second game of the day was the exact opposite of the first. After the Vikings and Cardinals combined for 48 runs and 45 hits in the first game, Bethany and Allegheny combined for just four runs and six hits in game two.
Gavin Jacobsen got the start and had just one blemish in the contest, allowing a 2-run home run in the third inning. It was one of just three hits allowed by Jacobsen, who went six innings, struck out nine, and allowed two earned runs, both scored on the home run.
The Gator pitcher started with six innings of no-hit ball, until Hopper hit a triple to right field to start the seventh. Russell would then hit a sac fly to give Bethany their first run of the contest.
Bethany would later bring the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning but couldn't muster a rally as Allegheny took the win.
Jackson Huiras came on in relief of Jacbosen, throwing two innings of no-hit ball while striking out two.
